In the last year of his life, Saint Anthony of Padua had a tree house built in a walnut tree, to use as a hermitage, a place of prayer and contemplation. These are reflections coming from my contemplating God's world as a Secular Franciscan.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Farewell to the Beloved Creator of "Brother Juniper"

The Franciscan Friars of Holy Name Province (OFM) have an e-newsletter that I receive on a regular basis. I opened the current one this morning and sadly learned of the death of one of my favorite cartoonist, Fred McCarthy, the creator of Brother Juniper.

He was a Massachusetts man, born in Boston. He attended Boston College, where he began to exhibit a talent for cartooning. He entered the Franciscan Order, and was ordained a priest in 1944. He was known then as Father Justin McCarthy. It is mentioned in his biography, that Brother Juniper came to birth in 1957, with the publication of the first collection of cartoons. I have in front of me a copy of that book, which I found in a used book store. It is a little worn and frayed, but I treasure it.

Brother Juniper came into being in the time pre Vatican II Church. I think it was a time when the clergy, especially bishops, might have taken themselves a little too seriously; and Church life was a little too formal. Then along comes this little friar, a little irreverent, a little silly, who liked to tweak the cowls of his fellow friars. Brother Juniper brought a smile to the lips of close to 15 million readers, in 100 newspapers, from 1968 to 1989.

Fred McCarthy would eventually leave the priesthood and the Order. He married and he continued his career as a cartoonist and artist. He returned the Secular Franciscan Order, which he had joined in his youth. He would periodically contribute a Brother Juniper cartoon to the national SFO newsletter.

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St. Anthony of Padua

About Me

I have been a professed Secular Franciscan since 1988. I am married. I am active in my parish, as a lector and member of the choir. The Holy Spirit has lead me on a journey full of twists and turns; from studying for the priesthood, to being a novice for the Franciscan friars, to working in the financial industry. I was ordained as a Permanent Deacon in 2012. It has been a wonderful, spiritual ride so far, and it is not over!

Welcome to all!

All are welcome here. I hope you will find my random thoughts, reflections, and bits of news interesting. I write from a Franciscan and layman's viewpoint about our Church, our country and our world.

Any feedback, comments and criticisms are welcomed, but please, no slander, profanity, name-calling, racism or sexism. I reserve the right to delete any violations. Franciscan charity and compassion will be our guide.

"All who love the Lord with their whole heart, their whole soul and mind, with all their strength and love their neighbors as themselves and hate their bodies with their vices and sins, and receive the Body and Blood of Lord of our Lord Jesus Christ, and produce worthy fruits of penance."(St. Francis of Assisi, Exhortation to the Brothers and Sisters of Penance)